Comparative Efficacy of Stretching and Strengthening Exercise Programs on Sleep Quality and Musculoskeletal Pain in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Postmenopause is associated with a decline in estrogen levels, resulting in several musculoskeletal and psychological symptoms that adversely affect women's health. Among these, musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances are the most frequently reported complaints, leading to impaired functional ability and reduced quality of life. Exercise therapy is recommended as a first-line non-pharmacological intervention; however, evidence directly comparing stretching and strengthening exercise programs for improving sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain in postmenopausal women remains limited. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 40 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years. Participants were recruited through convenient sampling and randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group A (n = 20) received a supervised stretching exercise program, and Group B (n = 20) performed supervised strengthening exercises. Both groups underwent supervised exercise sessions three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures included sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and musculoskeletal pain evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Pre- and post-intervention scores were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests, with the level of statistical significance set at p< 0.05. Both intervention groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain following the eight-week intervention (p< 0.05). The strengthening exercise group showed greater improvement in pain reduction, whereas the stretching exercise group exhibited superior improvement in sleep quality. Overall, both stretching and strengthening exercise programs were effective physiotherapeutic interventions for improving sleep quality and reducing musculoskeletal pain in postmenopausal women. However, stretching exercises were comparatively more beneficial for enhancing sleep quality, while strengthening exercises produced greater reductions in pain.